Bedford County Farmers Market
The Bedford County Farmers Market is closed for the 2025 season. See you next year!
What’s in Season for the Holidays?
Herbs, Mushrooms, Apples, Sweet Potatoes, Cabbage, Broccoli
What’s Cooking Now?
Sweet Potatoes!
Sweet potatoes are a versatile and nutritious staple that shines during the holiday season. Packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, and natural sweetness, they’re a perfect ingredient for festive meals. Whether you prefer them savory or sweet, there are endless ways to incorporate this vibrant root vegetable into your holiday menu.
Tips for Buying Sweet Potatoes
Look for Firmness: Choose sweet potatoes that are firm and free of soft spots, cracks, or blemishes.
Uniform Shape: Medium-sized, evenly shaped sweet potatoes cook more consistently.
Avoid Refrigerated Ones: Cold storage can alter their flavor and texture, so skip any that have been chilled.
How to Store Sweet Potatoes
Cool, Dry Place: Store in a pantry or cupboard at room temperature—ideally between 55–60°F.
Avoid Plastic Bags: Use a basket or paper bag to allow airflow and prevent moisture buildup.
Don’t Refrigerate: Cold temperatures cause the flesh to harden and develop an off taste.
Some of sweet potato’s best friends are spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, Chinese five spice and Baharat seasoning. They pair well with maple, molasses, orange, coconut, and cranberry as well. And, of course, marshmallows and brown sugar. So as we think of these pairings, there are many ways we can use sweet potatoes, both in sweet and savory dishes.
Sweet potatoes can be mashed with spices or maple syrup or molasses or orange juice and zest and served like mashed potatoes. The puree can also be used in sweet casseroles like sweet potato souffle with a nut streusel on top or sweet toasted marshmallows. Mashed sweet potato can also be added to baked goods like quick breads, cakes, yeast roll dough and biscuits. Baked whole sweet potatoes can be topped with any of its friends or you can cut the potato into cubes, toss with spices and a little oil and roast to eat as a side or to add to salads.
Sweet potatoes bring warmth, nutrition, and a touch of tradition to your holiday celebrations. With these tips, you’ll enjoy their best flavor and quality all season long.
Here are a few recipes to try this holiday season:
Sweet Potato Chicken Chili Soup
Sweet Potato Orange Winter Salad
Mashed Molasses Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Cranberry Orange Sweet Potatoes
Chicken and Root Vegetable Pot Pie
Jerk Pork Roast with Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potato Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
Check out the Produce Information Pages Below:
Eat Seasonally!
Seasonal Eating is all about eating what is growing here and now. A tomato doesn’t taste nearly as good in January when it is out-of-season as it does in July when it comes directly from the grower to you or to the grocery store. Produce eaten when it is in-season tastes better and maintains more of its nutrients. Eating with the seasons also helps reduce transportation, saving gas and emissions, as well as helps to support our local growers and local economy.
To eat seasonally, try growing your own produce this Spring and Summer to use throughout the growing season and preserve what you can’t use through freezing or canning. Another option is to frequent the local farmer’s markets. Even when shopping at the grocery stores, focus on what is seasonal for that month.
To see what is growing in Tennessee each month take a look at the Seasonal Eating Chart for Tennessee.
The Seasonal Kitchen Videos:
